Marco’s fingers twitched as the doors to the ballroom slammed shut behind Alessia. The moment felt suspended in time, the chatter and clinking glasses fading into the background. His heart was pounding, and his body moved on instinct as he took a step toward the doors, ready to chase after her.

Suddenly, a firm hand clamped down on his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

“Marco, don’t.”

Dante’s voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable authority in it. His grip tightened just enough to hold Marco back, though not enough to cause a scene. Marco’s body was already coiled with tension, his muscles tight with the need to act....